{"id":4659,"date":"2013-09-05T12:01:13","date_gmt":"2013-09-05T16:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/?p=4659"},"modified":"2013-07-29T14:59:51","modified_gmt":"2013-07-29T18:59:51","slug":"turning-obstacles-into-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2013\/09\/turning-obstacles-into-opportunities.html","title":{"rendered":"Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jay<\/a>Jay Platt<\/strong> was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 1998 after suffering complications from von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL), a genetic disease that resulted in brain and spinal tumors, kidney cancer, and the loss of his left eye. When told his future would be considerably dimmer than his past, Platt set out to rebuild himself physically, mentally and spiritually, and to challenge himself by setting demanding physical goals.<\/p>\n

He was one of fewer than 300 people to have hiked the more than 2,100-mile southbound Appalachian Trail; one of three to swim from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco with hands and feet tied (see the video below); and the only person to swim across the Mississippi River while blindfolded, handcuffed and shackled. The proceeds from his adventures and sales of his documentary benefit non-profits, including the VHL Family Alliance. Here\u2019s some advice from this inspiring man:<\/p>\n

How to Convert Obstacles into Opportunity<\/strong>
\nA Cancer-Causing Disease Ended My Dream But Opened Unexpected Doors<\/strong>
\nBy <\/strong>Jay Platt<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a U.S. Marine, and for nearly 15 years, I lived that dream. But in 1998, a rare condition called von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL), attacked my eyes, brain, spine and kidneys, forcing my retirement from the corps.<\/p>\n

Before VHL I pretty much felt untouchable \u2013 until I started having symptoms and the eventual diagnosis. I was scared, confused and angry for a number of years; I couldn\u2019t understand why God would do this to me. I went from feeling invulnerable to officially being considered handicapped.<\/p>\n

It took me some time to accept my new reality, and once I did, I recalibrated my sense of purpose: I began accepting challenges many world-class athletes wouldn\u2019t consider. I swam across the Mississippi River blindfolded, handcuffed and shackled; I swam from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco with my hands and feet tied, and I was one of fewer than 300 people to hike the more than 2,100-mile southbound Appalachian Trail.<\/p>\n

I did these things both to inspire other people who are trying to come to terms with their own challenges, and to raise money for charity.<\/p>\n

In the new documentary, Living Unstoppable,<\/a>\u00a0 I explain my transformation, and how others might apply the lessons of my journey to their own lives:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The motivation of \u201ccan\u2019t\u201d<\/strong> \u2026 I don\u2019t care who you are \u2013 everybody goes through something in life; nobody gets through unscathed. And everyone, at some point, faces something they believe they can\u2019t do \u2013 but want very much. If you haven\u2019t yet, you will, and coming to terms with it will be a process. Use it as motivation for living life to the fullest, and let it show you how beautiful our time on Earth really is.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The lesson of the severely handicapped little girl<\/strong>: I experienced a long period of despair, hopelessness and rage against the universe. One day while at the park, I heard the pure joy in the laughter of a severely handicapped girl who was being pushed in a wheelchair by her mother. \u201c \u2018Listen to the birds, Momma,\u2019 I heard her say \u2013 she was just so happy to experience that simple pleasure. That has stayed with me ever since; if that little girl could get past her suffering and appreciate singing birds, then I could do much better.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0A promise to contribute to the greater good<\/strong>: The onset of my VHL symptoms, which included vision problems in one eye and disorientation, was very scary. During that time, I made a promise to myself and to God to devote my life to others if I survived. I\u2019ve kept that promise \u2013 my Appalachian Trail hike alone raised $109,000 for charity.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0You are still you; don\u2019t let tragedy totally define you<\/strong>: While I\u2019m officially retired from the USMC, I\u2019m still the same guy who fully lived a proud life as a Marine for a decade and a half. How you respond to hardship says much about your character; you don\u2019t have to remain psychically stuck in the worst part of your life by identifying most with a weakness. Use a handicap, for example, for what it\u2019s worth \u2013 something that helps you strive for significance and fulfillment in life.<\/p>\n

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